Cassius waits at the bottom of the broad stone steps, leaning beside the great doors. His monochrome attire is immaculate, while black and white butterflies drift quietly around his shoulders.
Two figures descend toward him. The first is a lean, middle-aged woman with copper-brown skin, tightly braided black hair, and a green traveling coat crowded with map tubes. Beside her walks a slender young man with sandy curls, a weathered blue cloak, and an explorer’s brass compass.
Mara Vell
Cassius McGregor? I am Mara Vell, journeyman cartographer of the Meridian Guild.
Tobin Reed
And I am Tobin Reed, apprentice explorer. It is a pleasure to meet you, sir.
Mara stops one respectful pace away and produces a sealed parchment. Tobin glances toward the doors, where old warding sigils glimmer beneath layers of dust.
Mara Vell
The Nexus of Guilds assigned us to accompany you inside the unknown dungeon. Our task is to map the entrance floor and its first few chambers.
Tobin Reed
We return with the immediate layout, hazards, and any clear pattern in the construction. Is that the nature of your commission as well?
✓ Quest Accepted
Map the dungeon's entrance floor and first few chambers
“I nod curtly, holstering both white and black pistols at my hips. "Yep. Consider me part of the 'security detail' while I help you lot map the immediate layout. Never specified how far.. but as long as we at least get through the first few rooms in all directions from the entrance, we're good to head back." I languidly push off the wall and approach the doors, starting to push them open. "Nice to meet you both. Let's not waste any time then. I see Mara's got her parchments ready to go. You got your equipment ready, Tobin, bud?"”
SUCCESS (Fair Strength, rolled +0)
Cassius McGregor
Yep. Consider me part of the security detail while I help you map the immediate layout. As long as we cover the first few rooms in every direction, we can head back.
Cassius nods curtly, holsters The Living and The Departed, then pushes away from the wall. He approaches the dungeon doors with languid purpose.
Cassius McGregor
Nice to meet you both. Let’s not waste any time. Mara has her parchments ready. You have your equipment ready, Tobin?
The ancient doors yield beneath Cassius’s hands and open into a descending darkness. Their warding sigils flare blue-white, releasing a deep bell-tone that rolls through the entry hall and stirs dust from the lintel.
Tobin Reed
Yes, sir. Compass, chalk, cord, lantern, spare oil, and my field journal. Everything is secured and close to hand.
Mara Vell
A quiet entrance would have been preferable, but at least the wards have announced us clearly. Stay alert. Dungeons rarely appreciate introductions.
The ringing fades, leaving a vast corridor beyond the threshold. Pale fungal lamps glimmer along the walls, while the butterflies around Cassius settle into uneasy, circling patterns.
“I start leading the way down the lit corridor. "One of you buds got rune markers? Plant one at the end of the hall. This'll be an easy job but I'm sure we don't want any additional security placements blocking our way out." We approach the end of the hall and delve into the first level of the dungeon..”
SUCCESS (Good Agility, rolled +1)
Cassius McGregor
One of you have rune markers? Place one at the end of the hall. This should be easy, but we need a clear way out without extra wards blocking us.
Tobin Reed
I have three, sir. I will set one at the corridor’s end and keep the others for our return route.
Cassius leads beneath the pale fungal lamps, his butterflies drifting in wary formation. Dust lies undisturbed across the flagstones, except where the old warding glow has faded.
Mara Vell
Good. The passage is straight, but the masonry changes ahead. Mark the threshold, Tobin, and note the lamps, arch height, and door spacing.
They reach the corridor’s end. Tobin kneels and presses a small slate rune into a crack between the stones; blue lines bloom across it, pointing back toward the entrance.
Tobin Reed
Marker planted. It should remain visible through ordinary darkness and point us home, unless the dungeon itself disturbs it.
Beyond the marker, the corridor opens onto the dungeon’s first level: a square landing with three dark passages, carved lintels, and faint air moving from below.
“A few minutes pass as we map out the first few corridors, rooms, and chambers, upon coming to our last chamber to map out, I quickly draw my pistols to expertly fire at the two sets of haunted armor shambling towards our group. I mutter as I fire. "A couple tremoring rounds should rattle the spirits out of the armor for good.. Tobin, buddy, make sure to follow up when I hit them and separate the armor pieces so they don't come back. Gotta keep Mara safe while she maps this all out with her speedy hands."”
SUCCESS (Superb Ranged Weapons, rolled -1)
A few minutes of chalk marks and measured steps carry them through adjoining corridors and bare chambers. At the final room, two suits of ancient armor rise from the shadows, their empty helms glowing with restless blue light.
Cassius McGregor
A couple of tremoring rounds should rattle the spirits from that armor for good. Tobin, follow when I strike them and separate the pieces so they cannot return. Keep Mara safe while she maps.
Cassius draws The Living and The Departed in one fluid motion. White radiance and dark butterfly-winged bolts cross the chamber, striking both haunted suits with precise, soul-shaking force.
Tobin Reed
Understood, sir. I will break their formation and keep every piece apart.
The armor sets stagger as invisible tremors seize their movements. Their spectral glow gutters unevenly, and both become Marked by the Mourner beneath the ringing impact.
Mara Vell
The chamber is secure enough for a quick record. Tobin, give me the dimensions while those spirits recover their balance.
Mara unfurls her parchment and maps with swift, economical strokes. Tobin advances on the rattling armor, ready to scatter its loosened pieces before the haunting can gather them again.
Defeat the haunted armor
Quest Complete
Map the dungeon's entrance floor and first few chambers
Attribute Upgrade: Agility Good→Great